Adjustable back-rest.



H. E. BUTLER.

ADJUSTABLE BACK REST.

APPLICAIION F1150 SEPT-2h 1911.

1,297,088. Patented Mar. 11,1919.

Fig.2.

Invenforw Henry E..BUIT,

H115 ACfbrney.

HENRY E. BUTLER, OF SCHENEGTADY, NEW YORK.

ADJUSTABLE BACK-REST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 11, 1919.

Application filed September 21, 1917. Serial No. 192,448.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY E. BUTLER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Schenectady, New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Adjustable Back-Rests, of which the following is aspecification.

The present invention relates to adjustable back rests or supports andwhile of general application is more especially intended for use inhospitals and sick rooms where the sanitary requirements are very rigid.

The present invention is an improvement over the construction shown inmy prior Patent No. 1,003,982, dated September 26, 1911. In the use ofthe patented constructionit is customary either to place a pillow or oneend of a mattress between the open metal frame of the back rest and thebody of the user or else to slip a canvas covering over the adjustableback frame to form a support. For most cases the above arrangements areentirely satisfactory. For hospital use particularly where the danger ofcontagion is always present it is, however, undesirable to use canvascoverings because they must be washed which is a substantial item ofexpense and because it takes time to remove and replace them. Further,it is not always desirable or possible to raise one end of the mattresswhen the patient desires to occupy a reclining position.

To meet the conditions referred to, I construct the entire device out ofmetal so that it can be easily cleaned or sterilized. The adjustableback instead of being an open rectangular frame as before is providedwith intermediate members which are elastic or yielding and which inservice conform more or less closely to the body of the user. Thearrangement of these members is such that they are capable of yieldingby different amounts at different places.

For a consideration of what I believe to be novel and my invention,attention is directed to the accompanying description and claimsappended thereto.

In Figure 1 of the drawing is shown in perspective an adjustable backrest embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 shows a slight modification.

The base portion 1 is rectangular in outline and composed of a singleiece of metal rod, the abutting ends of 'w ich are Welded together tomake a firm support.

It is best to use round rods for the parts because that kind of stock iswell suited to the requirements and is easily obtained. In the sides ofthe base are formed raised projections 2 which act as stops for theadjustable prop 3. The bottom of the prop is provided with twoprojections 4, one at each end, formed by bending the rod back on itselffor a short distance. These projections extend beyond the side membersof the base 1 and prevent sidewise movement and in this manner hold theback securely in place. The free ends of the prop have hooks 5 whichpass through eyes in the adjustable back portion 6. The ends may be soarranged that they tend to spring outward slightly in order to retaintheir positions, or the hooks may be closed sufficiently afterassembling to hold the parts in place.

The adjustable back ortion of the structure comprises two si e membersand 8 which have eyes 9 to receive the hooks of the prop. Between theside members and occupying'the same plane is a plurality of intermediatemembers 10 which are connected to each other and to the side members,some at the top and the others at the bottom, by cross pieces 11. All ofthese members possess a certain amount of elasticity so that as theperson leans back on them they yield rearwardly to the desired extent.

It is important to havethe side and and intermediate members in the sameplane without crossing one part on the othersince this avoids. all lumpsor projections that would interfere with the comfort of the user.Furthermore, the grid arrangement with the zig-zag end connections givesa greater degree of resiliency and support than is possible with otherconstructions for the same amount of material. The grid arrangement11180 has the advantage that the entire back port-ion can be made of onepiece of small rod stock without joint of any kind. The degree ofresiliency will at once be appreciated when it is considered that eachloop of the grid,.comprising two parallel members and a cross piece, issupported at one end only. The number of intermediate members can bechanged to suit the requirements, but I have found in practice that thenumber shown is satisfactory. have also found the parallel arrangementof members to be the best since it gives the ber.

proper spacing and also avoids making too sharp turns at the corners.The members should extend well down to the base and also a sutlicientdistance above the prop to afford proper support for the user.

Owing to the zig-zag or grid construction,

one end may yield more than the other or the center may yield more thanthe ends depending on which point the greatest amount of pressure isapplied. It is due to this an rangement that the parts of the backportion conform substantially to the body of the user. lt may or may notbe necessary to use a pad, sheet or other covering when the device is inuse; this will depend upon circumstances. In any event whatever isusedmay be easily and quickly removed as it forms no part of the device,and the device itself may be easily sterilized.

The lower ends of the side members 7 and 8 have eyes 12 which encirclethe front of the base 1 and form a hinge uniting said parts. When theprop is swung rearwardly out of engagementwith the projections 2 therest as a whole may be folded flat which is a great convenience forobvious reasons.

In some cases it is desirable to have an even greater elasticity for theback portion than is practical with the arrangement described. To meetthis condition, the prop has one or more turns 13 in each side mem- Theamount of elasticity will be varied to suit conditions. Further, thespring may be made in a variety of ways, that shown being the simplestto form. However, the spring is formed it should be arranged to permitthe back portion of the rest to move gently up and down about the frontrod of the base 1 as a'pivot.

in Fig. :2 is shown a slight modification of the grid construction. Thecross-pieces l-i instead of being straight as in Fig. 1 are curved toform semi-circles. T he advantage y of this construction resides in thefact that it involves a single large bend instead of two small ones, andthus simplifies the manufacture. It also reduces the danger of breakingdue to stresses from any cause.

l have described the material of which the rest is made as composed ofsmall rods. Such material is also known under the term heavy wire. Themain consideration is to have it strong enough to support its loadwithout being unduly heavy.

It will be evident that my improved construction has the advantage of anelastic back support without the use of any textile material orauxiliary wire mesh, is sanitary, can be folded into a relatively smalland. compact space for transportation, is not liable to be injured, andreduces expense in use by not requiring things which have to be washed.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is 1. A device of the character described comprising a baseportion having notched side members and a prop arranged to engage thenotches, in combination with an adjustable back portion heldby the propand having side members which are hinged to the front of the base andintermediate members-which are alternately connected to each other atthe top and bottom only to form an open elastic grid, the end members ofsaid grid being united to the side members so that the members of thegrid can yield individually under pressure.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of anunjointed rectangular base portion, the sides of which have notches, anadjustable back portion hinged to the forward end of the base whichcomprises side members which have eyes to receive a prop, and aplurality of intermediate members arranged side by side in the sameplane with independent cross pieces which unite the ends of theintermediates and also unites them and the side members, said crosspieces and members forming a zig-zag elastic structure, and a prophaving loops which enter the eyes in the side members and engage theprojections on the base.

3. device of the character described comprising a base portion havingnotched side members, an adjustable back portion hinged to the front ofthe base and provided with eyes, in combination with U-shaped propformed of metal which is hinged in the eyes of the-side members of theback portion, rests in notches in the base, and is provided with springsin the side members thereof to permit said back portion to yield to alimited extent.

in witness whereof, l have hereunto set my hand this 18th day ofSeptember, 1917.

HENRY E. BUTLER

